By: Gethro Florvil, Contributing Writer
Spring Break is almost here. It is a moment to take a break from work, spend more time with family and friends, and have some fun. However, this year will be a lot different. Spring Break can appear to be boring with all of the COVID-19 restrictions, such as social distancing and mask-wearing. Nonetheless, there are some fun activities that do not require physical interactions with others. Reading is one of these activities that are safe to practice at this time. Here are some books, recommended by faculty and staff at Saint Leo University, that readers may find interesting
For those who like mystery books, “Mystic River” by Dennis Lehane is a great novel to start. Audrey M. Koke—a serials, e-resources, and instructional librarian at the Cannon Memorial Library—recommended this book. Mystery books are her favorite ones.
“I really like ‘Mystic River,’” said Koke. “It’s a good movie too.”
Published in 2001, “Mystic River” is about three childhood friends—Sean, Jimmy, and Dave—whose friendship ends after a horrible event changes them forever. Twenty-five years later, Jimmy’s daughter is murdered the same night that Dave comes home with someone else’s blood on his body. Sean, who has become a homicide detective, is assigned to the case.
The novel won several awards—including the Dilys Award, Massachusetts Book Award, and Barry Award—and was a New York Times bestseller. “Mystic River” was made into a film of the same name two years later and won two Academy Awards.
Those who enjoy family books may like “Lizzy & Jane” by Katherine Reay. Amy J. Harris proposed this book because she believes that everyone has trials and needs compassion. Harris has been the Instruction and Assessment Librarian at the Cannon Memorial Library for two years now, where she helps students with research and citation style.
“I recommend this book because it reminds us of the importance of family,” she said.
“It also has some hints of Jane Austen’s Elizabeth and Jane Bennet from ‘Pride and Prejudice,’ for literary fans,” Harris added.
This book can be purchased in a variety of formats from Amazon.
Julie Garisto, an adjunct instructor of English, suggested three books released earlier this month. Her first recommendation is “The Empathy Diaries: A Memoir” by Sherry Turkle.
“I’m always searching for writers who get at our feelings of disconnection without being too trite and self-help-ish,” said Garisto.
She also proposed “Klara and the Sun,” a book by Kazuo Ishiguro.
Garisto says that “Klara and the Sun,” a story of a droid companion to an eleven-year-old, looks to be another inspiring meditation on the human spirit versus the dehumanizing, destructive influences around them and how they expose human frailty.
Garisto also avowed that Ishiguro’s “Never Let Me Go” is one of her all-time favorite books, along with “Remains of the Day,” which is one of her favorite “understated studies of interpersonal dynamics.”
Lastly, Garisto suggested an essay collection titled “Who Will Pay Reparations on My Soul?”
“Anyone searching for a deeper, more nuanced understanding of our racial divide and the black experience through a cultural lens should find something here,” she said.
Apart from these suggestions, there are also many popular books can take you out of this world. Some of them are available for students and staff to read at the Cannon Memorial Library.
One example is “Twilight,” the New York Times bestseller by Stephenie Meyer, that explores the love story between Edward—a mind-reading vampire—and the innocent and impenetrable Bella. In this book, readers will always be intrigued by the unknown, the danger, and the flawless girl who is different from the others.
Coronavirus has changed our daily life drastically. Although it will make spring break different this year, we can always entertain ourselves with some great books. While it may be risky to travel physically during the pandemic, there are no health risks that come from traveling through the mind by reading.
